This property came with a house which proved ill-matched to our clients’ needs but which nestled neatly amid beautiful live oaks. In choosing to commission a new home, they asked that it also tuck under the limbs of the oaks and maintain a subdued presence to the street. Extraordinary efforts such as cantilevered floors and even bridging over critical root zones allow the design to be truly fitted to the site and to co-exist with the trees, the grandest of which is the focal point of the entry courtyard. Of equal importance to the trees and view was to provide, conversely, for walls to display 35 paintings and numerous books. From form to smallest detail, the house is quiet and subtle.

While this new home had an architecturally striking exterior, the home’s interior fell short in terms of true functionality and overall style. The most critical element in this renovation was the kitchen and dining area, which needed careful attention to bring it to the level that suited the home and the homeowners. As a graduate of Culinary Institute of America, our client wanted a kitchen that “feels like a restaurant, with the warmth of a home kitchen,” where guests can gather over great food, great wine, and truly feel comfortable in the open concept home. Although it follows a typical chef’s galley layout, the unique design solutions and unusual materials set it apart from the typical kitchen design. Polished countertops, laminated and stainless cabinets fronts, and professional appliances are complemented by the introduction of wood, glass, and blackened metal – materials introduced in the overall design of the house. Unique features include a wall clad in walnut for dangling heavy pots and utensils; a floating, sculptural walnut countertop piece housing an herb garden; an open pantry that serves as a coffee bar and wine station; and a hanging chalkboard that hides a water heater closet and features different coffee offerings available to guests. The dining area addition, enclosed by windows, continues to vivify the organic elements and brings in ample natural light, enhancing the darker finishes and creating additional warmth. Photography by Ira Montgomery

Photo by Ryann Ford
Example of a danish light wood floor hallway design in Austin

A modern traditional hall bath with Frosty Carrina countertop, mounted lighting, beveled mirror, ledge tile and chair rail, under mount rectangular sink, hexagon floor tile. Photo Credit: Patterson Photography

Tina Gallo and B.A. Torrey
Seated home bar - mid-sized transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor and brown floor seated home bar idea in New York with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, solid surface countertops, no sink and gray countertops

© Greg Perko Photography 2014
Small elegant slate floor and multicolored floor single front door photo in Boston with multicolored walls and a white front door

Jeff Herr
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional dark wood floor enclosed dining room remodel in Atlanta with beige walls

This charming 1925 condo was due for a bathroom remodel. I had so much fun on this Mid Century Modern influenced design! Kohler's Purist fixtures in brushed gold was the starting point on this design. All other decisions were curated around the simplicity of this collection.

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Photography Eric Roth Photo

Treve Johnson Photography
Example of a mid-sized trendy master gray tile and stone tile marble floor double shower design in San Francisco with a vessel sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, recycled glass countertops and gray walls

This master bathroom is a sanctuary for your mind and body. It features integrated oversized cast iron soaking tub, an oversized trench drain heated floor rain shower, all enclosed with privacy edged glass to keep the steam in while the dual steam generator is on. Note all the glass panels are imbedded in the walls/ceiling and the toilet has it's own matching enclosure. Also hidden from the view is a Robern make up station and large custom Venge closet with pull out shoe organizer!

Nick Smith Shaker style kitchen meets contemporary colours to add depth to the oversized kitchen. Industrial lighting and handles help give the kitchen a little bit of cool!

Brett Zamore Design
Inspiration for a contemporary master green tile beige floor alcove shower remodel in Houston with flat-panel cabinets, quartzite countertops, an undermount sink, white cabinets and gray walls

Trendy gray floor and double-sink bathroom photo in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white walls, a vessel sink, white countertops and a built-in vanity

Mid-sized beach style l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in Charlotte with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, marble countertops and ceramic backsplash

Classic White Mudroom With Lockers for Each Child
Mudroom - mid-sized traditional u-shaped mudroom idea in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, gray walls and a white front door

Transitional kitchen photo in Austin

Eric Piasecki
Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal master dark wood floor bedroom remodel in New York with beige walls and no fireplace